Notre Dame, Paris

The park attached to the cathedral is my favorite place in the world to sit, in complete silence, with a baguette and cappuccino. No matter how many times I see it, walk past it, sit in front of it or look at pictures of it, the feeling of awestruck that came over me when I first glanced at the cathedral never lessens.

On another note, while an insane amount of people are shoving themselves into the front entrance, it’s as if no one knows the back is where it’s at. Benches under trees and surrounded by flowers and await those who are smart enough to navigate around the massive crowds; in my opinion, the view of the architecture is much better. Not only is the cathedral itself much more appealing at this angle, but great views of the left bank are also visible.

If you want to experience Notre Dame like I enjoy, hop off the Metro at Rue de Rivoli, walk along the Seine and watch the towers of the cathedral become closer and closer until…. BAM! There it is!

What is the one place or moment that made YOU fall in love with traveling? I’d love to hear about it!

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You're probably wondering what the heck is a "Roaming Bean"... Given that I am clearly not a Bean, and my name is Jen, what gives with this Bean thing, right? A friend of mine called me JenBean as a child, and it kinda stuck. Actually, it really stuck... even my license plate says Jenbean. And seeing as I have this grand lust to wander the world, The Roaming Bean seemed suitable.
I've changed my career path more times than I have my underwear (minus all the times I've gone commando).... from animating, to forensic pathology, to international business, to fashion marketing and even to my wonderful and favorite of the bunch, degree in culinary arts, nothing kept my attention. Nothing was fun enough to do every day for the rest of my life. I mean, even though I cooked for celebrities in the heart of Hollywood, CA, why the hell would I want to sweat my ass off in a ridiculously HOT kitchen for most of the day and go home smelling like beef and onions? And the chef hat?? Do you know what that did to my hair?? Enter traveling....
The rainy day I descended down the tower of Notre Dame in Paris, gripping on to the railing for dear life so not to slip and tumble to an early death from the torrential down pour that was causing a small flood in the stairwell, my life changed. When I safely made it to the ground, legs shaky from an apparent lack of fitness it requires to walk up and down 387 steep stairs, I realized my hands were stained a delightful copper color from the rusted hand rail I had so dearly clung to. Desperate to get the icky stuff off my supple hands, and no running water in sight, I did what any other hopeless idiot would have done: I washed my hands in the nearest Parisian gutter. It was that moment that changed my life... I threw away my hair dryer, my rolling luggage and my dignity. I let my hair go natural, I bought a back pack and I CAMPED through Europe for a month and a half. Yes my friends, I crossed over into a savage traveling beast.
Ok, a lot of people travel that way. But I didn't. And I'm so incredibly thankful for that rainy day in Paris that made me realize the world is a pretty sweet place. That realization led me on a quest; a quest to get out there, see things, soak up some local culture and eat my way around the world (with minimal food-related illnesses, such as but not limited to raging diarrhea).